10 things to do this summer if you don't have a job

So, you're a college student or a recent grad and, despite your
best efforts, you've got nothing going on this summer.

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No internship. No job. No cool travel opportunities. Nothing.

Even worse, every time you check social media, you're confronted
with pictures of your friends chilling with Mark Zuckerberg or
saving humanity or traveling around the world in search of dope
Instagram shots.

Life's a nightmare, right?

Well, don't freak out just yet. We've talked to some career
experts and they shared ideas on how to salvage your summer.

Don't give up

"The internship has become the new entry-level position,"
Augustine says. "In fact, many 'entry-level' roles now require
between one and three - and sometimes even five - years of
relevant experience. If you don't pursue numerous relevant
internships while in college, you will be at a disadvantage upon
graduation."

So you've got to be persistent and keep trying, even if you feel
discouraged.

Youtern CEO and founder
Mark Babbitt says that there are plenty of companies still
looking for interns - they just might not know it yet. He
recommends pursuing a certain type of organization.

"Find a nimble organization that makes decisions quickly,"
Babbitt says. "Learn everything you can about them: their
mission, products or services, leadership team, customer base,
etc. Then walk in with a plan that outlines how you can
help them over the summer. Precedent shows the tactic of
designing your own internship, while certainly not the 'easy'
way, is highly effective; most employers will react well to your
entrepreneurial approach."

"Although you may feel like you're the only one who can't find a
job, you're not," Kahn says. "And even experienced professionals
can relate to your situation, because at some point in all of our
careers, we were all unemployed. Everyone can sympathize with
this, which makes your network an invaluable resource, both
professionally and emotionally."

"Leverage your network to identify people who are in your
desired field or industry, and set up an informational interview
to learn more about your potential career path," Augustine says.
"These activities will help navigate your career in the right
direction and provide meaningful talking points when a
prospective employer asks, 'So, what have you been up
to?'"

Babbitt notes that the summer is a great time to establish or
rekindle relationships with mentors.

Go back to school

Summer school may sound dreadful, but TalentZoo president Amy Hoover
recommends using your newfound free time to enroll in online
coursework. You can gain new skills to supplement your past or
upcoming classes.

"While it's not real world work experience, it shows commitment
to your field and that you're motivated to keep busy," Hoover
says. "And, you can still keep a paying job on the side."

Augustine also encourages individuals to pursue professional
development opportunities.

Consider volunteering

Putting your skills to work in a volunteer position might be a
good way to bulk up your résumé and give back.

"Volunteer at an organization that could benefit from coursework
you've taken," Hoover says. "You can consider this an unpaid
internship, and of course can still have a part time paying job
too."

Kahn agrees, saying volunteering is a great way to start building
relevant work experience.

"Figure out where you can add value and offer those services,"
Kahn says. "Even if it's as basic as stuffing envelopes, that
experience will help build your reputation as a hard worker, not
to mention open doors for a paying gig."

"Future employers respond well to a nicely designed website that
showcases your professional goals and personal interests," Hoover
says. "There are free and easy ways to create and host websites
where you can then keep your résumé, blog posts, social media
profiles, school projects, and applicable portfolio pieces in one
place. Summer downtime is perfect to make sure your site is up to
date and looking its best."

On the social media side of things, Augustine recommends
resources like Internships.com, CollegeRecruiter.com,
LookSharp.com (formerly
InternMatch), and YouTern.com. Augustine also
encourages job seekers to get active on social media, following
Twitter accounts that post about opportunities and building up a
LinkedIn presence.

Join the club ... any club

Having a summer gig is not just about career opportunities. It
also gives you something to do every day.

Kahn says there's strength in numbers when it comes to facing a
potentially boring summer.

"There's a club for everything these days, and you don't need a
job to join one. Scour LinkedIn, Twitter, and Meetup.com for
events and clubs that pique your interest and participate as much
as possible."

Lower your expectations

Recent grads struggling to find a job may be skeptical of taking
an internship. That's a big mistake, according to Augustine.

"There are many companies willing to hire a recent college
graduate for a paid internship position. This is a great way to
boost your resume, gain valuable experience, learn new,
marketable skills, and expand your professional network."

source

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Choose your summer job wisely

Perhaps you've done everything you can and you still can't find
an internship, full-time job, or an acceptable substitute. Now's
the time to get creative and look for a part-time job that'll
allow you to explore and gain some new experience.

"For instance, if you're considering a career in education, look
into positions that will allow you to test out your teaching or
coaching skills, such as a swim instructor, babysitter, tutor, or
camp counselor," Augustine says. "You can also take on a retail
role, such as a cashier, in a business that falls within your
desired industry."

Establish a routine

Searching a summer opportunity is super stressful. Still, find
the time to take a break.

"Set aside a set time each day that's reserved for your job
search," Kahn says. "And when that time is up, stop. Treat your
job search like a job, and give yourself the space to unwind and
focus on life outside work when you're done. Work-life balance
applies to job hunting, too!"

Take care of yourself

Remember, not having anything to do this summer really isn't the
end of the world. Maybe it's the perfect opportunity to relax and
regroup before embarking on your next step.

"When you're uber focused on finding a job, it's easy to put
everything else in your life on hold," says Kahn. "Don't do this.
Exercise, eat well, and spend time with family and friends. It
may not seem like it at first, but the investment you make in
your personal health will pay off the instant you land your first
interview."